PORTAL RASMI
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
Police launch SAR operation after flying doctor service helicopter crash in Long Lellang
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KUCHING (Sept 8): A search-and-rescue (SAR) operation is under way to locate five people aboard a helicopter that crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport in the interior of Baram.
Confirming the incident, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Zainal Abdullah said the search effort currently involves local villagers, personnel from the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) and auxiliary police stationed at the Long Lellang STOLport.
“The SAR operation is being hampered by the remoteness of the crash site, which lies roughly ten hours’ overland travel from Marudi.
“Air support using helicopters has not been possible owing to hazy weather conditions and the fact that the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has not granted clearance for flights to depart from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) airbase in Kuching,” he said in a statement.
Mohamad Zainal said a dedicated search-and-rescue team was expected to reach the scene as soon as possible, while details of those on board would be confirmed in due course.
He said the helicopter crashed at the end of the airstrip at about 3.32pm, with initial reports indicating that five people were on board at the time.
He urged the public not to speculate on the incident to allow a full investigation to be carried out in conjunction with the Air Accident Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.
Earlier, Miri Resident and Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee chairman Galong Luang confirmed that all five people on board were killed in the crash.
“Unfortunately, all five onboard are deceased, as confirmed by reports from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and Ministry of Health (MoH),” he told The Borneo Post when contacted.